"
After a pause he said, --
"You must not be hopeless; he is in good hands, and everything that can be
done will be done. Is he resting now?"
"Yes; if to breathe like that is to rest. Oh, Louis, when I think how for
months he has suffered alone, it almost drives me crazy."
"Why think of it, then? Or, if you must, remember that in his surpassing
unselfishness he saved you much anxiety; for you could not have helped
him."
"Not with our sympathy?"
"Not him, Ruth; to know that you suffered for him was--would have been his
crowning sorrow. Is there anything I can do now?"
"No, only think of yourself for a moment; perhaps you can rest a little,
for you need it, dear."
A flame of color burned in his cheek at the unusual endearment.
"I shall bring you a cup of tea presently," she said as she left him.
The morning passed into afternoon. Silence hung upon the house. A card
had been pinned under the door-bell; and the many friends, who in the short
time since the sick man's arrival had heard of his illness, dropped in
quietly and left as they came.
Dr. Kemp came in after luncheon. Mr. Levice was sleeping, --in all truth,
one could say easily, but the doctor counted much from the rest. He
expected Dr. H----- for a consultation.
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